Facing action, DAVV staffer suffers seizure

AN EMPLOYEE of the academics department of Devi Ahilya Vishwa Vidyalaya (DAVV) suffered a mild ?chest seizure? on Wednesday after he learnt that the Vice Chancellor was contemplating action against him on the basis of complaints made by some students.

Irate staff heckle V-CAN EMPLOYEE of the academics department of Devi Ahilya Vishwa Vidyalaya (DAVV) suffered a mild ‘chest seizure’ on Wednesday after he learnt that the Vice Chancellor was contemplating action against him on the basis of complaints made by some students.

Sectional officer K L Dharkar, who suffered the seizure, was immediately rushed to Gokuldas Hospital and administered first aid. Hospital authorities told Hindustan Times that Dharkar has been kept in the ICU for observation and primary tests do not reveal cardiac ailment or arrest.

The incident was reminiscent of the case of Professor Sabharwal who succumbed to heart attack when student leaders had an altercation with him at Madhav GACC, Ujjain, and allegedly hit him. In this case, it seemed that the V-C’s statement published in some newspapers today caused Dharkar great ‘hurt’ leading to the chest seizure.

Dr Rajkamal had earlier received complaints about irregularities in the academic section from students. He asked all files pending for over a month to be cleared within a week. He went to the academic office on Tuesday along with Assistant Registrar Rachna Thakur and checked the files on the table of Dharkar. He found two files that had been pending for the past five months and letters containing directives from the Research Degree Committee (RDC) not issued to the students concerned.

Sources said on Wednesday morning Dr Rajkamal took Dharkar to the office of the Registrar and spoke to Anil Sharma, who is in charge in the absence of Tiwari, regarding his earlier directives. Hearing about this incident post-lunch, several employees went to the V-C’s office and created a ruckus.

Even as the commotion was on, Dharkar collapsed and was rushed outside the room for fresh air and later taken by employees Saroj Shukla and Bhagyashri Nirantar and V-C’s secretary PS Bagga to the hospital.

Feeling outraged at what happened to Dharkar, university staff surrounded the V-C and questioned the rightfulness of his going to the press with such information. They also alleged that he was targeting class III and IV employees.

Devi Ahilya Vishwa Vidyalaya Karmachari Sangathan president Suresh Agrawal, secretary Rakesh Yadav and former general secretary B D Kushgotia later said in a press statement that confusing information and allegations of bribe had been made against Dharkar.

They asked the V-C to talk to employees and staff members concerned before taking any decision and stated that the progress of work was slow as no regular appointments had been made from a long time and there was an acute shortage of staff in the university.

The rate of retirement is 15-20 employees per year and no new appointments are made to fill the vacancies. Dr Rajkamal, meanwhile, said, “Incorrect news has been quoted in one newspaper after reading which Dharkar came under stress.

I bear no ill will against Dharkar. The work has been progressing at a slow pace in offices and a girl’s complain that regular visits to the academic department yielded no results for her led him to ask the Registrar to give compulsory retirement to inefficient employees. Anything, which hurt the sentiments of Dharkar might have been in the spur of the moment.”

In a faxed message he denied having taken Dharkar’s name for any possible action and he strongly condemned the reports. Dr Rajkamal also added that the entire expenses for Dharkar’s treatment would be borne by the university or by him personally.